So here’s what the Maine moose hunt is really worth: between $12,952 and $14,501. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife auctions off ten moose hunting permits every year.
Over $133,000 was raised in the 2016 auction, with all of the money going to youth conservation education scholarships. More than 600 Maine boys and girls get partial scholarships to several of the state’s conservation camps.
The legislature created the auction which began in 1995, and applicants must submit bids through a written bid process. Winning bids are selected in February. The information above was presented in a press release earlier this week, designed to create interest in the 2017 bidding process.
Bids for the 2017 auction must be received at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 15, 2017. A non-refundable bid fee of $25.00 in U.S. funds must accompany each bid.
A downloadable copy of the bid packet is available online by visiting:
“While the auction winners have the opportunity to partake in the hunt of a lifetime, their winning bids also ensure Maine children have the chance to learn outdoor skills that will give them a lifetime of appreciation of the Maine outdoors,” said Chandler Woodcock, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Conservation camp programs are designed to teach Maine boys and girls the importance of conservation, a respect for the environment and a working knowledge of a variety of outdoor skills. Subjects taught at camp include wildlife identification, fishing, boating safety, archery, firearms handling, hunter safety, forest conservation, map and compass work and much more.
Here’s the list of 2016 auction winners along with their winning bids.
$14,501 Tracy Hauck
$13,801 Howard Ludington
$13,611 John D. Lovetere
$13,500 Marc Hampers
$13,253 Adam Millburn
$13,234.56 Roger Gregg
$13,100 Shane Brady
$13,013 Timothy Glasscock
$13,010 Bendrix Bailey
$12,952 Carl Baker